Posted on 06/10/2008 1:32:50 PM PDT by Dawnsblood
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain is "open to the possibility" of tapping America's domestic oil and gas reserves, but it is not clear from his voting record whether he would actively push to expand offshore oil recovery efforts.
On ABC's "This Week -with George Stephanopoulos," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C), a McCain friend and supporter, said the Arizona Republican would be open to talking about looking for oil and gas "in our own backyard."
"John McCain would allow offshore explorations, if the states consent," Graham said Sunday.
Graham's statement echoed the position McCain took in response to a survey conducted by the League of Conservation Voters last year. The League questioned all the 2008 presidential candidates about whether they supported maintaining current moratoriums on new offshore oil and natural gas drilling.
Congress passed the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Moratorium in 1981, which prevented the leasing of coastal waters for the purpose of fossil fuel development.
McCain said he supported expansion of oil recovery in the OCS -- with qualifications.
"I believe there are some OCS areas that can and should be developed for their energy potential but the areas should not be those that are ecologically sensitive to such development," McCain said in the survey.
"I also believe that the will of the people of coastal states like Florida and California on issues related to OCS development off their shorelines must be respected and they should have a say in where moratoria are kept in place as well as the terms of such development that is permitted," he said.
McCain added that if oil retrieval is conducted in the Outer Continental Shelf, it should be done according to strict environmental standards and oversight.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
We need to hammer him. Sounds like he’s softening.
Nah, not worth it. Even though Bush would be out of office, they'd still find a way to blame it on Bush.
sw
If it is a major economic or national security issue and the case can be made in a clear and compelling manner, he will not hesitate to open ANWR up. Ironically, he may be the only Republican who could do it. He can look the American people in the eye and say "Look, I wanted to preserve ANWR as pristine but this is more important. It would give some Democrats cover to follow him.
McCain needs to certain up. He can win the election going away with this issue as can pubbies in the congress. Of course that would require brains, courage, and a sense of risk. Did I mention a spine? Our pubbies cannot seem to recognize the correct answer when told. Although McConald whipped the dims @ss over cap and trade. Good going guys.
You don’t feel reassured?
hahahahahahahahaha
Turn on CSPAN. House Republicans are beating this issue.
When will he apply the same belief to Alaskans and ANWR?
Alaskans have repeatedly indicated that they are in favor of drilling in ANWAR, yet McCain voted against it. McCain is a fraud.
In the meantime the Cubans have hired the Chinese to drill 60 miles off the coast of FL for oil.
Naah...the Breck Girl is much prettier and more manly.
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